Estonia

News from the current competition in Estonia

12 January 2017

The flag of Estonia was launched on 21 November, 1918 | Photo: private

The President of the Republic of Estonia announced the topic »Prerequisites of Estonian Independence« for the 18th EUSTORY Competition for student research papers in history. As February 24th, 2018 will mark the centenary of Estonia’s independence, it is just the right time to begin the search for the core reasons that led to this historic event. Due to Estonia's history, there are especially two possible starting points: Firstly, 1918 when the independence was declared and also 1991 when the reindependence was reached.

Main entrance to the Estonian National Museum | Photo: Ülo Josing

On October 21st, 2016 a professional training took place with the aim to inspire young researchers and their instructors and also to give them ideas on how to approach the topic from various angles. The location of the training, the newly opened Estonian National Museum in Tartu, added an extra sense of meaning to the training. When the museum was first established in 1909, the founders couldn't even imagine Estonia as an independent state. Looking back, one can now say that the founding of this museum was in a way one prerequisite itself for the independent Estonian state.

Inside the Estonian National Museum: One of the exhibition halls | Photo: Ülo Josing

Among the lecturers there were Ago Pajur from the University of Tartu, who spoke about the first President of Estonia, Konstantin Päts, and his role in gaining independence. Kristi Jõesalu, also from the University of Tartu, taught how to use sources most efficiently. Hagi Šein from the Baltic Film and Media School inspired participants to investigate Estonian Reindependence through film archives.

Deadline for entering research papers is March 31st, 2017 and the winners will be announced on May 5th, 2017. Co-ordinators of the Estonian EUSTORY Competition are Evelin Tiiter and Karolina Antons.